Ruiz Leads Yee in Arizona Superintendent Race

Democrat Teresa “Terry” Leyba Ruiz held a strong early lead over Republican Kimberly Yee in the race for Arizona superintendent of public instruction. Ruiz, an educator and former community college president, campaigned on prioritizing public schools and strengthening accountability for the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which lets families use public funds for alternatives to public school. Yee, the current state treasurer, emphasized classroom funding and school choice and was backed by Turning Point Action. The race remained among the closer statewide contests, with additional votes potentially narrowing Ruiz’s advantage.